Dogs in 'appalling' condition rescued

The rescued dogs.

Two volunteers from Donegal-based rescue Animals In Need were shocked by the appalling condition of three abandoned dogs they were called out to rescue at the weekend.

Responding to a call out from the Gardaí, the Animals In Need volunteers rushed to the spot beside a lake on the Pettigo Road,but when they arrived they found that a fourth dog had already been hit by a car and killed.

The remaining three collie-spaniel crosses were shivering at the side of the road; cold, wet and hungry and suffering from an appalling mange infestation which had left the dogs half bald and was irritating them to such an extent that they had scratched themselves until they bled and were covered in scabs.

Now named Eddie, Moe and Enya, the three dogs soon came over to their rescuers, wagging their tails in greeting and are very friendly, lovely natured dogs despite the long term neglect and cruelty they must have suffered while they were denied urgent veterinary treatment.

Following a trip to the vets with the dogs, an Animals In Need spokesperson said ‘The vet said this is one of the worst cases of mange that he has seen in a very long time.’

She continued ‘The female dog, who we believe is also pregnant, was really suffering. She had scratched so much that her skin was red raw and the blood was dripping down her legs but still the poor little dog wagged her tail.’

The dogs will now have to undergo six weeks’ treatment for the mange which will involve being bathed every three days with a special shampoo. In addition they have had pain relief, antibiotics and a spot-on treatment to kill the mange mite.

The Animals In Need spokesperson concluded ‘This is going to be very time consuming for the volunteers and very expensive for the charity but at least the dogs are now safely in foster care where they have a warm bed, plenty of good food and perhaps even more importantly, they are finally receiving all the love and kindness that has been missing from their lives so far and from now onwards they can look forward to a brighter future.’

If you would like to help towards the veterinary costs for Eddie, Moe and Enya, please donate €2 by texting the word ‘KITTEN’ to 50300. Animals In Need Donegal is also on Facebook and has a website at http://www.animalsinneeddonegal.com.

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